AFRICAN VINTAGE BRONZE MESSENGER BIRD MASK, OF THE BAMOUN/BAMU, CAMEROON
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:4758706 | Handmade: Yes |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: Cameroon | Modified Item: No |
Intended as a wall hanging, this intriguing bronzemask comes from the Bamoun/Bamun people and the grasslands of Cameroon. Itmeasures about 11”in length and about 8” across. According to the notes of theCameroonian collector who once owned the piece, this “Fon Rane” mask representsKing Njoya, the wise, who invented Bamoun/Bamun handwriting and even a machineto crush coffee. Atop his headdress are two of the messenger birds that helped theresourceful King Njoya and his “Fon Pit...” (royal chief of the army) detect thepositions of enemies. The bronze mask comes from the private collection ofan internationally recognized constitutional law attorney from South Africa, who assisted Nelson Mandela with development of laws for democratic electionsin South Africa. The attorney purchased this bronze mask, identified as anolder, traditional piece, from a Cameroonian collector in the 1990s, and laterhe brought it, as part of his African art collection, to the United States.Condition is excellent. Nice patina. A wonderful addition to a collection or asa single decorating piece! It is coming from a non-smoking household. Payment and Shipping: Payment must be made upon purchase using Pay Pal. I will ship within 1business day of confirmed payment. I am open to any questions so please don’t hesitateto contact me. I strive for positive feedback and I want you to be happy withyour purchase!
